On the August 7th edition of the Fighting for the Faith radio program me and my special guest Pastor Craig Donofrio discuss the Rick Warren sermons that inspired me to create the Purpose Driven Heavenly Rewards Calculator and discuss how it was designed to destroy any notions of self-righteousness through a proper use of God's Law.
You can listen to the program here.
Catransplant,
This episode of Fighting for the Faith is dedicated to you.
Posted by: Chris Rosebrough | August 08, 2008 at 09:46 AM
Your show reminded me of the exchange in Pee Wee's Big Adventure where Pee Wee Herman was talking with his female friend, Simone, and she kept interrupting him with one "but" after another.
"Simone: I know you're right, Pee-wee, but...
Pee-wee: Everyone I know has a big "But"! Come on, Simone, let's talk about your big "But". "
All I could think of was a Purpose Driven Preacher's big "but".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuYgmyorZrc
Posted by: jim claybourn | August 08, 2008 at 02:08 PM
What a terrible message by Rick Warren. The more I hear his teachings the more I want to flee them. He lays one big guilt trip on people, which he does often. How many will feel an ungodly guilt for not handling money the way Rick Warren says, how many will feel guilty for not reverse tithing so on and so forth after listening to all that? How many will puff themselves up and say something like; "O, I reverse tithe, I give 90% and keep 10% for me" (Is tithing for Christians, for the Church of the LORD Jesus Christ?). Christians do not boast about their good deeds do they? Rick Warren's preaching does not convict me, it makes me very angry because it is riddled with deception. And he adds to and takes away from the Scriptures in that message as he does with so many of his other teachings, he twists God's Holy Word, he attributes to God something God does not say. How can a Christian do such things????? I am really baffled how a Christian could do such???? A degenerate sinner, sure, a Christian, no way! Surly not? Someone who is "born again," "born of above," "regenerated by the Holy Spirit of Good" just does not teach falsehood like that on a consistent basis do they? Surly the Holy Spirit would convict them of the sin of distorting the Scriptures and they would privately and openly repent of those sins before the whole Church, wouldn't they? Surly? Are Christian pastors so blind to false teachings they continually proclaim. I have never heard or seen Rick Warren repent of even one of his Scripture torturing. How many years has he been it now? Where is the awesome reverential fear of God and His absolute holiness in Warren's messages? The Bible say; "do not let many of you be teachers for a greater wrath you will incur," that is very very sobering isn't it? That is not jut a flippant, casual, last minute addition to the Scriptures is it?
Anyway, thank you Chris for that broadcast it was very clear and understandable. It leaves me very concerned about all those who are underneath the control of Rick Warren and his Purpose Driven Movement. The blind guide leading the blind and both will fall into the ditch.
God must be using Rick Warren's false teachings to lead and guide many of His elect, His chosen people, who are caught up in the Purpose Driven snare, into the study of sound doctrine and they shall know the truth and the truth shall set them free from the Purpose Driven Bondage. I remember Pentecostal pastors preaching the same sort of stuff here in New Zealand in the early eighties and it is still around. Nothing new under the sun. I am ever so grateful to God that I am NOT a member of Saddleback or the Purpose Driven Movement. It is total control of ones life by a man made organization. I am ever so thankful that I am a member of the Church of the LORD Jesus Christ and that the gates of whatever (hades? hell? lake of fire?), will not prevail against His Church.
Posted by: Douglas | August 08, 2008 at 08:49 PM
Chris, keep right on keeping busy with your radio program and your website. Maybe one day you'll make the cover of Time Magazine.
Posted by: catransplant 48 | August 08, 2008 at 09:11 PM
"Maybe one day you'll make the cover of Time Magazine."
Adolf Hitler made the cover of Time Magazine. Where is he now? Heaven? Lake of fire? He maintained he was a Christian didn't he? A Roman Catholic? Roman Catholicism is Christian isn't it? There are Purpose Driven Roman Catholics now aren't there, Rick Warren has joined hands and minds and hearts with Roman Catholics hasn't he? There is a section on Purpose Driven for Roman Catholics isn't there. Roman Catholics are encouraged to jump on the bandwagon of Purpose Drivenism aren't they and study all the Purpose Driven tm literature? I am sure I have seen it on Warren's websites.
Oh. Rick Warren has made the cover of Time Magazine has he? Three cheers for Rick Warren. Fancy a false teacher, a blatant Scripture twister making it on to the front cover of Time Magazine. Again? Surly not? What a legacy recorded for all those that can see to see. How many millions of people has Rick Warren led into deception by his rote prayer and other false teachings?
catransplant 48, whoever you are, Chris may not make the cover of Time magazine and I know I won't but I am fairly sure Chris' name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life. I know mine is there. I don't know about Rick Warren's though. Only God knows for sure. Is your name written in the Lambs Book of Life? Only those who have been "born anew of the Holy Spirit of God" will have their names in the Lamb's Book of Life. True?
Revelation 3:5He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
Revelation 21:27And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
Posted by: Douglas | August 08, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Douglas, Douglas....oh ye of bad temper. Chris R. doesn't need you to defend him. I listened to his radio link. It took what Rick Warren said completely out of context and the amount of biblical license he and his guest took at interpreting what was actually said was astounding.
Chris was the one who so badly wanted me and to know about his radio programs ratings the other day. Turnabout is fair play.
Posted by: catransplant48 | August 08, 2008 at 10:41 PM
The Global Ambition of Rick Warren
The world just loves Rick Warren and cannot sing his praises loud enough. He has done so many good deeds they are hard to keep track of, even when he reminds the whole world of them. If Rick Warren preached and proclaimed the full-orbed, doctrinally sound, biblical Gospel instead of his Purpose Driven Life Gospel, the world would hate Rick Warren. Rick Warren does not preach the true biblical Gospel on a regular, consistent basis. If Rick Warren preached the true Gospel Time Magazine would not be so quick to do such a flattering article on Mr. Warren. The above article by Time Magazine is very enlightening.
Posted by: Douglas | August 08, 2008 at 10:50 PM
"Douglas, Douglas....oh ye of bad temper."
That is another godless lie about me by you. Are you even "born again?" Are you even a Christian? All liars are cast into the lake of fire you realize don't you? Serious business lying. I am very angry with Rick Warren's Scripture torturing and false teachings. That is not a bad temper, next thing you will be saying the LORD Jesus Christ has a bad temper because he let loose in the temple overturning tables and what not. Does the LORD God Almighty have a bad temper? The Scriptures say that God is angry with the wicked every day. True? Psalms 7:10-12 (KJV)10 My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart. 11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. 12 If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.
What do you think God is going to do with the unrepentant wicked when they die?
You know what, me telling you that I am an ex-bike gang member and ex-prison inmate has been used by you to pull me down. Calling me "violent, bad temper" so and so forth. You are using part of my testimony against me. How Christian is that catransplant48? I have found many Rick Warren, Purpose Driven Disciples and like minded people like you and Richard Abanes that do that sort of thing. Use parts of what we say in our testimonies against us to make us look like the ones who are wrong. Nasty stuff but I forgive you and I forgive that Abanes bloke too, but I do not trust you both, you both are unrepentant sinners.
Posted by: Douglas | August 08, 2008 at 11:07 PM
Oh dear Lord in Heaven, Douglas. It was a joke. Sheesh, man.
And for the record, the TIME article was great. It wasn't 100% flattering but it showed the man for what he is: a human being with shortcomings just like you and me. But it still showed he cares about the lost and about diseases and conditions that cause needless pain, death and suffering worldwide.
Posted by: catransplant48 | August 09, 2008 at 01:42 AM
Reverse tithing = Fleecing the flock
Rick Warren is no different from the prosperity gospel, he wants to squeeze as much money as he can from church goers.
Posted by: Bill | August 09, 2008 at 03:41 AM
He is right in one sense, that money is a tool. but to say that your eternity depends on what you do with your money is laying on a burden that no one can carry. This talk is just sad.
Interesting Time article. Very good publicity for Rick Warren and what he is doing through Saddleback. The question is and always will be how much truth is Rick Warren prepared to "trade" in order to make the world a better place?
Pastor Warren is the most influential pastor in America at the moment (btw, what happened to the great high priest Jesus?) If only he would start reading the Bible and start teaching the Bible and stop loading people down with stuff like this. Like I said. Very sad.
Posted by: wilson | August 09, 2008 at 04:38 AM
Catransplant,
You're issue is not with just Chris but with also Reformation theology. There are many who disagree with the theological basis by which Pastor Warren bases his teachings on. In addition, there are many Reformed who also have issues with Pastor Warren's theology as well. Just go to the www.whitehorseinn.org.
Posted by: Steve Newell | August 09, 2008 at 08:47 AM
Catransplant,
I've spent my morning enjoying a good cup of coffee and listening to Chris' radio program. How on earth can you make the claim that Chris took Warren out of context and that Chris took license with the scripture? Chris played Warren's sermon in context and everytime Warren cited a passage Chris read the verse in its proper context to show that Warren was twisting God's word. Has Satan so blinded you that you can't see truth?
Posted by: Kairos | August 09, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Hey Steve,
I'm not necessarily defending Cata...whatever his name is here, but one could also point out that there a lot of Christians who would disagree with what Chris has said and done here. That doesn't make them or Chris right, but it just points our your argument isn't all that spectacular. Plus, since you brought the reformed crowd into it, how do you think they would react to Chris R saying he wanted to "steal souls from Hell."?
My guess is they wouldn't be all that excited about it.
Posted by: Joe Martino | August 10, 2008 at 03:41 PM
Joe Martino,
I have no trouble with Chris saying he wants to steal souls from hell? Chris sounds just like Jude.
22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 snatch others from the fire and save them - Jude 22 & 23
Are you not aware that the word for snatch in verse 23 is the word harpazo and it means to 'make off with someone's property by attacking or seizing, steal, carry off, drag away"?
If you're here to stir up trouble because Chris defended the name of his radio station by saying that he wants to steal souls from hell then you'd better be off to where you came from thats a perfectly Biblical statement.
Posted by: Kairos | August 11, 2008 at 12:58 AM
Did not see a contact address so I will ask here. Is there audio video or pictures available of the PEACE Coalition meeting. Particularly DeWaay's role? You could contact me with a reply at the email I supplied.
Posted by: Steve S. | August 11, 2008 at 05:14 PM
Chris,
I seem to have gotten the impression that you don't think there are heavenly rewards. What about pastors who will be judged for their actions? Not for salvation mind you, but for responsibility. What about Matthew 24?
Posted by: Fusion | August 12, 2008 at 02:06 PM
Well as long as you're Okay with it, I'll sleep better tonight.
Posted by: Joe Martino | August 13, 2008 at 03:14 PM
Chris,
Why would you not want to build a relationship with someone as a way to then share the good news with them? I.e.; your neighbor..
Are you saying also that God wants believers to be poor? You need to trust God to bring you people to fund your station. You say that Jesus wasn’t good with money. Yet he gave to the poor He must have had some money if when he asked the disciples… the people are getting hungry and they said where are we to go buy food for them. Jesus had enough money that Judas was able to steal from it. I think to say Jesus was not a good money manger is as far of a stretch as you say others are making.(give me the truth that will set me free not scrams) He cheated on His taxes are you kidding you just said Jesus was a cheater in the way he handled his taxes. Wow. And the money advice he gives the rich young ruler was about butting money ahead of God. The money was the problem it was the rich young ruler’s love of money that came before his love for the Father it wasn’t the money it was his heart. (By the way thanks for doing this its fun) The money had become an idol in the life of the rich young ruler. Matthew 6 (New International Version) 24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money
As you keep reading into ver. 33 but seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Jesus isn’t speaking against money He is talking about whom will you trust? Will you trust God or money I know you know this but yet you seem to twist it to bang on Warren? Interesting are you pandering to your crowd? I don’t know but it is again fun to talk about it with you!!!
So then if money was importance 2000 years ago and Jesus talked about it.. He was talking about things that were getting the people of that day’s attention. Humm just like Warren is doing LOL. (help Warren, heck Help Me understand…)
Offering envelopes would be right seeing how the new testaments doesn’t talk about only 10% because it’s all His.
I love Luke chapter 19 God gives everyone talents. He wants you to use what He gave us to do the work of the kingdom of God. That is my take. I have pause this so I can’t wait to hear your take Chris go on… Ok the kingdom of God is coming but he gave them money and do businesses as you say… No God doesn’t say here is so much money but what you are given the talent you are given should be use (its all his anyway) to build His kingdom. Don’t trust the money trust God. Wow Chris your guest and I are on the same page here love it.
Ok I think Warne is saying that all that God has is yours. You have been adopted into his family you are heirs to all your Father has. Ok I like that you pointed out that you can’t earn the free gift of God… or it wouldn’t be free would it. I see your point let’s see what else Warne has to say. I buy the part of help other people. I do think that God wants us to be His hands and feet to a lost world but I don’t think you loose anything in Heaven if you don’t. If you are faithful God may pour more of whatever into your life down here on earth to reach out to a lost world. But I do think it was a bit miss leading to say or lead them to think oh if I spend my money right then God will happier with me and love me more. I will make God proud. I tried all my life to make God proud only to find out he already was proud of me I already was the apple of His eye. Oh is faith a verb or a noun good question. I don’t think it’s a salvation issue but its works after you’re saved that can become weight or works. You’re saved by faith but the conditions are on God’s favor… (So share with me the balance of a life sold out for Christ)
By the way Chris is there rewards in Heaven? If so can you explain to me how someone would get the rewards? See if I can get rewards I may want to “earn” them. (it’s the competitive nature I have hee hee)
I love it on the failing the test thing. I think that there are a lot of tired Christian who are trying to do enough to earn there rewards. (Not salvation that’s in the bag that was the free gift) Rewards you are going to have to work your freaking fanny off for if you really want God’s biggest and best get to work. That is the laborers rules I lived under and I have to thank you for point this out. Maybe a bit rough but freeing it is. Funny it’s the American way of life to say hey you’ve made it into heaven but why just settle for heaven go for the big house. Work for all your worth to get the biggest God has. (so can we get God’s blessing right here on earth?)
I agree that God owns everything I think the word God wants me to have is a heart to do His will but I have to remember there is no judgment no condemnation for those who are under the blood of our Savior. I agree this is a very works based message. Warren is saying all this can be yours if you just work hard enough. My trouble with this is we will never know if it was enough until it to late. (or we use your calculator) Funny it’s only about Jesus when it comes to becoming saved then its back to work. Luke 16 10"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own?
When someone reads this and it says what it says how do you not take that as weight as an order from Jesus that you must pass this test? I love the context thing but can the context be applied toward us? ( I guess what I am asking is this; is the bible a prescriptions for how we are to act, or a description of what went on during that time?) Yes the freedom of grace comes out and goes to all. So would true riches be the kingdom of heaven? Is Jesus saying to the teacher/preacher of that day you can’t even be trusted with little (the law) how could you ever be trusted with much. (Grace)?
I did note you skipped over Warne saying it is not a salvation issue. He made it clear that it in not on if you will get to heaven that was settled. [Ok you did cover it..] No No No stop with the sarcasm tell me what you think without taking your bible and banging Warren on the head. I agree that this works thing is wrong but stop wasting air time with the bragging on how smart you two are without saying what truth you have to set me free from this bondage.
I love that you brought out the point that some of you were bought into to this test late. That is sad They better get to work or what? I don’t even think if you asked Rick Warren if he believe that someone who comes to Christ late in life would get a “lesser heaven” but here he is teaching it. Wow it makes me sick to my stomach I have lived under this teaching my whole life, and Rick Warren is the best of these type teachers and he is piling on the work load. Chris help us see the truth.
Ok I love the spread sheet. That way I don’t have to wait until I get there to know what I will get. It’s not only like Mormons but also Muslim and any works based belief system. I total see how you can say this but are we not rewarded for our works here on earth? (I am in the fog I need some clear skies or I may wreck my pirate ship on all the wreckage along the way)
Don’t just tell us what Rick Warren believes tell us what you believe where you differ. I know you think you are but I wanting the truth. I get the hope thing I know I am not sanctified by my means but by the Holy Spirit. So your saying that Rick Warren is going to hell.. Wow that is bold.
Oh my the list is long on the spreadsheet… should we not over come addictions? Surrendering them to God trusting him? If I am sick should I not go to a doctor? Why not has a faith base recover program? If you don’t like Mr. Warrens then why not come up with one? Ok I don’t want to be full of my self I want to be full of the Spirit of God. Tell me your thoughts on how. I know the Law can’t save us it is to show us of our need for God but I thought for believers it is used as a guide line. We can’t be judge or condemned by the law but we are to still be guided by it.
That was all you had you’re leave-taking me no where leaving me high and dry. I need the truth!(( Really this was fun.)) I really think you have freedom to give you just spend so much freaking time bang on Rick Warren that you didn’t get to the letting me off the hook part. :+)
Well until then May God fill my spread sheet with the blood of Jesus so that my right standing depends totally on Christ.
Your new friend (I hope) LOL
Jerry Szeszulski (Shoe-Shell- Ski)
Posted by: jerry Szeszulski | September 12, 2008 at 09:55 AM
This is blaphamy. God didnt tell him to say that. What is a "Global peace plan?" Now I know he is working for the enemy.
Posted by: Camille | November 22, 2008 at 03:02 PM